HR boss accused of untruths in Warburton case

The human resources director of
Seven
Media Group, Samantha Renwick, has been accused of giving “untrue" answers in the media company’s action against its former executive,
James Warburton
.

Seven was also accused in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday of attempting to “de-skill" Mr Warburton by preventing him joining the rival
Ten Network
for 18 months.

Counsel for Mr Warburton, John West, QC, spent much of the afternoon focusing on his client’s last day at Seven. Of most interest was a conversation between Seven Media’s chief executive,
David Leckie
, and its commercial director,
Bruce McWilliam
.

Mr West continually asked Ms Renwick if she felt Mr McWilliam was concerned that Mr Leckie had “terminated" the employment of Mr Warburton on March 2.

­She repeatedly denied that Mr McWilliam was “raising a serious matter" with Mr Leckie or that the chief executive had “made a mess" of his last conversation with Mr Warburton.

“I put it to you that your answers are simply not true," Mr West said. The court previously heard that Mr Warburton had been told by Mr Leckie to “get out".

At issue is how soon Mr Warburton will be free to go to Ten as chief executive.

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Seven Media is attempting to prevent Mr Warburton starting at Ten until October 2012, based on his participation in the company’s management equity plan.

It has alleged the plan signed by Mr Warburton in­cluded a 12-month non-compete clause.

But under cross-examination, Ms Renwick conceded that details relating to the plan were not contained in Mr Warburton’s employment file at the company. Mr Warburton contends that his contract with Seven expires on July 14 this year.

Ms Renwick also told the court that on the day Mr Warburton left Seven there was no discussion about him being unable to resign until his contract expired.

Seven is seeking to have Mr Warburton serve out his three-month notice period from July 14, then a further 12 months’ “gardening leave".

The court also heard that Seven sought to have Mr Warbuton turn up at its Sydney office during normal business hours until October this year.

Ms Renwick said Mr Warburton would receive full pay and might have been given strategic tasks related to other parts of the Seven business.

Mr West described this as a period of “splendid inactivity" and “isolation", designed to “de-skill" Mr Warburton.

“I would suggest to you that this was an outrageous proposition and request," he said. Mr Leckie is due to give evidence on Monday.